Discover Fót

Fót is a civil parish in north Pest County, 17 kilometres from Budapest. Fót belongs to the agglomeration belt of Budapest. Due to its extraordinary flora and fauna, the greatest part of Fót is a nature reserve. This is the only habitat of the buttercup of Fót.
The settlement was historically significant in the 11th century since the Battle of Mogyoród took place here in 1074. This battle was mentioned in Chronicle of Wien.
Until the mid-20th century the Károlyis played an important role in the village’s life and they built a castle where they fixed their residence. Miklós Ybl was the architect who directed the transformation of the castle. He also designed the plans for one of the most outstanding creations of the Hungarian Romanticism, the Roman Catholic Church of Fót, which was constructed from 1845 to 1855.
After World War II the population significantly grew in number. Today it is a small town of about 16000 inhabitants.
Many famous personalities of the 19th century visited Fót, e.g. András Fáy, the „do-all of the nation”.
Kálman Németh, a famous carver, organised in his house in Fót literary meetings that brought many intellectuals to the town.
Since 1968 there has been a cultural programme called „Fót autumn”. This programme commences with the procession of people dressed in national clothes. They approach the Fáy press- house on horsebacks or on carts where an opening ball is held.
The Károlyi István Youth Centre was established in1957 in the Kátolyi castle for nursing and educating children without parents.